High zoom ratio zoom lens system

ABSTRACT

Providing a high zoom ratio zoom lens system having a short total lens length and a small diameter of the first group despite of securing excellent optical performance, a half angle of view of 3.5° or less in the telephoto end, an f-number of 6 or less in the telephoto end, and a zoom ratio of about 10 or more. The system is composed of a first group having positive power, a second group having negative power, a third group having positive power , and a fourth group having positive power. The first group is composed of, in order from the object, a negative meniscus lens having a convex surface facing the object, a first positive lens having a convex surface facing the object, and a second positive lens. All groups moves along the optical axis upon zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end. Given conditions are satisfied.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/527,394 filed Sep. 27, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,369,325.

The disclosure of the following priority applications are herein incorporated by reference:

Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-282932 filed on Sep. 28, 2005, and

Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-232162 filed on Aug. 29, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a photographic high zoom ratio zoom lens system suitable for an electronic still camera and the like.

2. Related Background Art

In a photographic high zoom ratio zoom lens system suitable for an electronic still camera and the like, there have been known zoom lens systems carrying out zooming by moving all lens groups thereof, having a zoom ratio of about ten, disclosed in such as Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-20381.

Moreover, there have been known high zoom ratio zoom lens systems, in which a first lens group is fixed upon carrying out zooming, and a zoom ratio thereof is extended about twelve to sixteen, disclosed in such as Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-201695.

Furthermore, there have been known high zoom ratio zoom lens systems further extending a zoom ratio in consideration of the dimension of a first lens group, disclosed in such as Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-39213.

However, in zoom lens systems disclosed in example 1 to 3 of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-20381, since a normalized total thickness along the optical axis of a first lens group is large, in other words, the total thickness of the first lens group normalized by an image height IH in a wide-angle end state is about 3.7, the weight of glass materials tends to become heavy. Accordingly, the weight of the optical system tends to increase, and mechanical decentering of the first lens group upon becoming the maximum total lens length, which is in the telephoto end state, also tends to increase, so that it is undesirable. Moreover, the maximum effective diameter of the first lens group is also large, which is about twelve upon being normalized by the image height IH in the wide-angle end state. In zoom lens systems disclosed in Example 4 and 5 of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-20381, although the normalized total thickness along the optical axis of the first lens group is about 2.14, and the maximum effective diameter is 6.7, which are relatively small, there is another problem that variation in spherical aberration upon zooming from the wide-angle end state to the telephoto end state becomes large.

In optical systems disclosed in Examples in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-201695, there is a problem that the dimension of the first lens group becomes large such that the normalized total thickness of the first lens group is from 2.75 to 4.23, and the maximum effective diameter is from 9.25 to 11.66.

In optical systems disclosed in Examples in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-39213, the first lens group is fixed upon zooming, the zoom ratio is about 14 to 20, and the dimension of the first lens group is taken into consideration. However, there is a problem that the dimension of the first lens group becomes large such that the normalized total thickness of the first lens group is from 3.66 to 4.42, and the maximum effective diameter is from 8.37 to 9.68.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is made in view of the aforementioned problems and has an object to provide a high zoom ratio zoom lens system having a short total lens length and a small effective diameter of the first lens group in spite of securing superb optical performance, having a half angle of view in the telephoto end state of 3.5 degrees or less, an f-number in the telephoto end state of six or less, and a zoom ratio of about 10 or more.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a high zoom ratio zoom lens system including, in order from an object, a first lens group having positive refractive power, and a second lens group. The first lens group is composed of, in order from the object, a negative meniscus lens having a convex surface facing the object, a first positive lens having a convex surface facing the object, and a second positive lens. The first lens group and the second lens group are moved along the optical axis upon zooming from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state. The following conditional expression (1) is satisfied: 0.−<FG1×(Nd1−Nd2)/FL3<0.75  (1) where FG1 denotes a focal length of the first lens group, FL3 denotes a focal length of the second positive lens, Nd1 denotes refractive index of the negative meniscus lens at d-line (wavelength λ=587.6 nm), and Nd2 denotes refractive index of the first positive lens at d-line (wavelength λ=587.6 nm).

In the first aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the zoom lens system further includes, in order from the object, a third lens group disposed to an image side of the second lens group, and a fourth lens group.

In the first aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the second lens group has negative refractive power, the third lens group has positive refractive power, and the fourth lens group has positive refractive power.

In the first aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that when zooming from the wide-angle end state to the telephoto end state, the first lens group is moved to the object, the second lens group is moved along a zooming trajectory having a concave shape facing the object, the third lens group is moved to the object, and the fourth lens group is moved along a zooming trajectory having a convex shape facing the object.

In the first aspect of the present invention, the following conditional expressions (2) and (3) are preferably satisfied: −0.15<FG1/FL12<0.25  (2) 0.4<FG1/(FL3×Nd3)<0.6  (3) where FL12 denotes a combined focal length of the negative meniscus lens and the first positive lens in the first lens group, and Nd3 denotes refractive index of the second positive lens in the first lens group at d-line (wavelength λ=587.6 nm).

In the first aspect of the present invention, the following conditional expression (4) is preferably satisfied: −0.0001<Fw/(Ft×FL12)<0.0005  (4) (unit: 1/mm) where Ft denotes a focal length of the zoom lens system in the telephoto end state, Fw denotes a focal length of the zoom lens system in the wide-angle end state, and FL12 denotes a combined focal length of the negative meniscus lens and the first positive lens in the first lens group.

In the first aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that an aspherical surface is included in the second lens group, and an aspherical surface is included in the third lens group.

In the first aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the fourth lens group is moved along the optical axis upon varying a focus from an object at infinity to a close object.

In the first aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that an image blur is corrected by moving the third lens group perpendicularly to the optical axis.

In the first aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the negative meniscus lens and the first positive lens are cemented with each other.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for forming an image of an object and varying a focal length of a high zoom ratio zoom lens system that includes, in order from the object, a first lens group having positive refractive power, and a second lens group, comprising steps of constructing the first lens group with, in order from the object, a negative meniscus lens having a convex surface facing the object, a first positive lens having a convex surface facing the object, and a second positive lens, varying the focal length by moving the first lens group and the second lens group along the optical axis when the zoom lens system moves from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state, and satisfying the following conditional expression (1): 0.31<FG1×(Nd1−Nd2)/FL3<0.75  (1) where FG1 denotes a focal length of the first lens group, FL3 denotes a focal length of the second positive lens, Nd1 denotes refractive index of the negative meniscus lens at d-line (wavelength λ=587.6 nm), and Nd2 denotes refractive index of the first positive lens at d-line (wavelength λ=587.6 nm).

In the second aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the method further includes a step of providing the high zoom ratio zoom lens system with, in order from the object, a third lens group disposed to an image side of the second lens group, and a fourth lens group.

In the second aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the method further includes a step of providing the high zoom ratio zoom lens system with, in order from the object, the second lens group having negative refractive power, the third lens group having positive refractive power, and the fourth lens group having positive refractive power.

Other features and advantages according to the present invention will be readily understood from the detailed description of the most preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a lens configuration of a high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 1 and positions of respective lens groups in a wide-angle end state W upon focusing on infinity.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are graphs showing various aberrations of the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 1 focusing on infinity in which FIG. 2A shows various aberrations in the wide-angle end state, FIG. 2B shows various aberrations in an intermediate focal length state, and FIG. 2C shows various aberrations in a telephoto end state.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are graphs showing coma of the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 1 focusing on infinity upon carrying out vibration reduction in which FIG. 3A shows coma in the wide-angle end state, FIG. 3B shows coma in the intermediate focal length state, and FIG. 3C shows coma in the telephoto end state.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are graphs showing various aberrations of the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 1 focusing on a close object in which FIG. 4A shows various aberrations in the wide-angle end state (Rw=300 mm), FIG. 4B shows various aberrations in the intermediate focal length state (Rm=300 mm), and FIG. 4C shows various aberrations in the telephoto end state (Rt=1000 mm).

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are graphs showing coma of the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 1 focusing on a close object upon carrying out vibration reduction in which FIG. 5A shows coma in the wide-angle end state (Rw=300 mm), FIG. 5B shows coma in the intermediate focal length state (Rm=300 mm), and FIG. 5C shows coma in the telephoto end state (Rt=1000 mm).

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a lens configuration of a high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 2 and positions of respective lens groups in a wide-angle end state W upon focusing on infinity.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are graphs showing various aberrations of the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 2 focusing on infinity in which FIG. 7A shows various aberrations in the wide-angle end state, FIG. 7B shows various aberrations in an intermediate focal length state, and FIG. 7C shows various aberrations in a telephoto end state.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are graphs showing various aberrations of the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 2 focusing on a close object in which FIG. 8A shows various aberrations in the wide-angle end state (Rw=300 mm), FIG. 8B shows various aberrations in the intermediate focal length state (Rm=300 mm), and FIG. 8C shows various aberrations in the telephoto end state (Rt=1000 mm).

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a lens configuration of a high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 3 and positions of respective lens groups in a wide-angle end state W upon focusing on infinity.

FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C are graphs showing various aberrations of the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 3 focusing on infinity in which FIG. 10A shows various aberrations in the wide-angle end state, FIG. 10B shows various aberrations in an intermediate focal length state, and FIG. 10C shows various aberrations in a telephoto end state.

FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C are graphs showing various aberrations of the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 3 focusing on a close object in which FIG. 11A shows various aberrations in the wide-angle end state (Rw=300 mm), FIG. 11B shows various aberrations in the intermediate focal length state (Rm=300 mm), and FIG. 11C shows various aberrations in the telephoto end state (Rt=1000 mm).

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a lens configuration of a high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 4 and positions of respective lens groups in a wide-angle end state W upon focusing on infinity.

FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C are graphs showing various aberrations of the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 4 focusing on infinity in which FIG. 13A shows various aberrations in the wide-angle end state, FIG. 13B shows various aberrations in an intermediate focal length state, and FIG. 13C shows various aberrations in a telephoto end state.

FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 14C are graphs showing various aberrations of the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 4 focusing on a close object in which FIG. 14A shows various aberrations in the wide-angle end state (Rw=300 mm), FIG. 14B shows various aberrations in the intermediate focal length state (Rm=300 mm), and FIG. 14C shows various aberrations in the telephoto end state (Rt=1000 mm).

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a lens configuration of a high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 5 and positions of respective lens groups in a wide-angle end state W upon focusing on infinity.

FIGS. 16A, 16B, and 16C are graphs showing various aberrations of the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 5 focusing on infinity in which FIG. 16A shows various aberrations in the wide-angle end state, FIG. 16B shows various aberrations in an intermediate focal length state, and FIG. 16C shows various aberrations in a telephoto end state.

FIGS. 17A, 17B, and 17C are graphs showing various aberrations of the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 5 focusing on a close object in which FIG. 17A shows various aberrations in the wide-angle end state (Rw=300 mm), FIG. 17B shows various aberrations in the intermediate focal length state (Rm=300 mm), and FIG. 17C shows various aberrations in the telephoto end state (Rt=1000 mm).

DESCRIPTION OF THE MOST PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments according to the present application will be explained below.

A high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to each Example of the present application is composed of, in order from an object, a first lens group having positive refractive power, a second lens group having negative refractive power, a third lens group having positive refractive power, and a fourth lens group having positive refractive power. The first lens group is composed of, in order from the object, a negative meniscus lens having a convex surface facing the object, a first positive lens having a convex surface facing the object, and a second positive lens. All lens groups are moved along the optical axis upon zooming from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state. The following conditional expression (1) is preferably satisfied: 0.31<FG1×(Nd1−Nd2)/FL3<0.75  (1) where FG1 denotes a focal length of the first lens group, FL3 denotes a focal length of the second positive lens, Nd1 denotes refractive index of the negative meniscus lens at d-line (wavelength λ=587.6 nm), and Nd2 denotes refractive index of the first positive lens at d-line (wavelength λ=587.6 nm).

Conditional expression (1) is for suppressing the total length of the negative meniscus lens and the first positive lens having a convex surface facing the object in the first lens group and securing a good aberration state.

When the value FG1×(Nd1−Nd2)/FL3 is equal to or falls below the lower limit of conditional expression (1), difference in refractive index between the negative meniscus lens and the first positive lens having a convex surface facing the object in the first lens group becomes small. Accordingly, in order to suppress variation in spherical aberration upon zooming by means of maintaining proper combined negative power between the image side surface of the negative meniscus lens and the object side surface of the first positive lens, the radius of curvature have to be made small. As a result, the thickness along the optical axis of the glass material of the negative meniscus lens becomes large, so that it is undesirable. In other words, when the thickness along the optical axis of the glass material of the negative meniscus lens is made small while the value FG1×(Nd1−Nd2)/FL3 is equal to or falls below the lower limit of conditional expression (1), variation in spherical aberration upon zooming becomes large.

On the other hand, when the value FG1×(Nd1−Nd2)/FL3 is equal to or exceeds the upper limit of conditional expression (1), Petzval sum becomes large in the negative direction, and the image plane significantly curves in the positive direction, so that it is undesirable.

In order to secure the effect of the present embodiment, it is preferable to set the upper limit of conditional expression (1) to 0.65. In order to secure the effect of the present embodiment, it is preferable to set the lower limit of conditional expression (1) to 0.34.

In order to make the total length small upon retracting the lens barrel in spite of being a high zoom ratio zoom lens system, the first lens group preferably moves to the object upon zooming from the wide-angle end state to the telephoto end state upon focusing on infinity. With this construction, the total length upon retracting, which is smaller than the total lens length in the wide-angle end state, can be accomplished with a simple mechanism.

In order to carry out zooming effectively, it is preferable that when zooming from the wide-angle end state to the telephoto end state, the second lens group moves along a zooming trajectory concave to the object, and the third lens group moves to the object. With this construction, a space required for the second lens group upon zooming can be made small, so that a space for the third lens group moving to the object upon zooming can be secured.

It is preferable that the fourth lens group moves along a zooming trajectory convex to the object upon zooming from the wide-angle end state to the telephoto end state. With this construction, it becomes possible to correct variation in the image plane.

In the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to the embodiment, in order to make the lens system to be wide-angle and to secure good aberration balance with keeping a distance between the first lens group and the second lens group, the following conditional expressions (2) and (3) are preferably satisfied: −0.15<FG1/FL12<0.25  (2) 0.4<FG1/(FL3×Nd3)<0.6  (3) where FL12 denotes a combined focal length of the negative meniscus lens and the first positive lens in the first lens group, and Nd3 denotes refractive index of the second positive lens in the first lens group at d-line (wavelength λ=587.6 nm).

When the ratio FG1/FL12 is equal to or falls below the lower limit of conditional expression (2), variation in spherical aberration upon zooming becomes large, so that it is undesirable. On the other hand, when the ratio FG1/FL12 is equal to or exceeds the upper limit of conditional expression (2), a secondary principal point of the first lens group significantly comes into object side of the most image side lens surface of the first lens group, so that a distance between the first lens group and the second lens group cannot be secured, so it is undesirable. In other words, when a secondary principal point of the first lens group does not significantly come into object side of the most image side lens surface of the first lens group, spherical aberration in the telephoto end state becomes worse, so that it is undesirable.

In order to secure the effect of the present embodiment, it is preferable to set the upper limit of conditional expression (2) to 0.2. In order to secure the effect of the present embodiment, it is preferable to set the lower limit of conditional expression (2) to −0.1.

When the ratio FG1/(FL3×Nd3) is equal to or falls below the lower limit of conditional expression (3), a secondary principal point of the first lens group significantly comes into object side of the most image side lens surface of the first lens group, so that a distance between the first lens group and the second lens group cannot be secured, so it is undesirable. In other words, when a secondary principal point of the first lens group does not significantly come into object side of the most image side lens surface of the first lens group, spherical aberration in the telephoto end state becomes worse, so that it is undesirable.

On the other hand, when the ratio FG1/(FL3×Nd3) is equal to or exceeds the upper limit of conditional expression (3), the image plane significantly curves in the negative direction, so that it is undesirable.

In order to secure the effect of the present embodiment, it is preferable to set the upper limit of conditional expression (3) to 0.56. In order to secure the effect of the present embodiment, it is preferable to set the lower limit of conditional expression (3) to 0.45.

In the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to each embodiment, the negative meniscus lens and the first positive lens in the first lens group preferably satisfy the following conditional expression (4): −0.001<Fw/(Ft×FL12)<0.0005  (4) where Ft denotes a focal length of the high zoom ratio zoom lens system in the telephoto end state, and Fw denotes a focal length of the high zoom ratio zoom lens system in the wide-angle end state. The unit of conditional expression (4) is 1/mm.

When the ratio Fw/(Ft×FL12) is equal to or falls below the lower limit of conditional expression (4), variation in spherical aberration upon zooming becomes large, so that it is undesirable. On the other hand, when the ratio Fw/(Ft×FL12) is equal to or exceeds the upper limit of conditional expression (4), a secondary principal point of the first lens group significantly comes into object side of the most image side lens surface of the first lens group, so that a distance between the first lens group and the second lens group cannot be secured, so it is undesirable. In other words, when a secondary principal point of the first lens group does not significantly come into object side of the most image side lens surface of the first lens group, spherical aberration in the telephoto end state becomes worse, so that it is undesirable.

In order to secure the effect of the present embodiment, it is preferable to set the upper limit of conditional expression (4) to 0.0004. In order to secure the effect of the present embodiment, it is preferable to set the lower limit of conditional expression (3) to −0.0005.

In the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to the embodiment, in order to obtain good optical performance, when an aspherical surface is introduced in the second lens group, correction of curvature of field in the wide-angle end state becomes excellent. Moreover, when an aspherical surface is introduced in the third lens group, correction of spherical aberration in the telephoto end state becomes excellent.

In the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to the embodiment, when the fourth lens group is made to be movable along the optical axis upon varying a focus from an object at infinity to a close object, focusing mechanism can be integrated in the vicinity of the camera body, so that it is preferable.

In the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to the embodiment, since correction of an image blur is carried out by moving the third lens group perpendicularly to the optical axis, the mechanism for the correction can be independent from that for focusing, and the third lens group is the very portion where the outer diameter of the optical system becomes small, so that it is preferable. Correction of an image blur can also be carried out by moving a lens group other than the third lens group perpendicularly to the optical axis. Moreover, correction of an image blur can also be carried out by moving a portion of the third lens group perpendicularly to the optical axis.

In the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to the embodiment, it is preferable that the negative meniscus lens and the first positive lens in the first lens group are cemented with each other. Upon assembling the zoom lens system, when the negative meniscus lens and the first positive lens in the first lens group are cemented with each other, it becomes unnecessary to adjust decentering between the negative meniscus lens and the first positive lens upon assembling into the lens barrel.

Each example of the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to the embodiment is explained below with reference to accompanying drawings.

In each example, the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to the embodiment is composed of, in order from an object, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power, and a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractive power. When the state of lens group positions varies from a wide-angle end state W and the telephoto end state T, the first lens group G1 is moved to the object, the second lens group G2 is moved along a zoom trajectory having concave shape facing the object, the third lens group G3 is moved to the object, and the fourth lens group G4 is moved along a zoom trajectory having convex shape facing the object.

An aperture stop S is moved together with the third lens group G3 upon zooming from the wide-angle end state W to the telephoto end state T.

An optical low-pass filter LPF and a cover glass CG for a solid-state imaging device D are disposed between the fourth lens group G4 and the image plane I, and the image plane I coincides with an imaging surface of the solid-state imaging device D.

The first lens group G1 is composed of, in order from the object, a negative meniscus lens L1 having a convex surface facing the object, a first positive lens L2 having a convex surface facing the object, and a second positive lens L3.

The image side surface of the negative lens disposed to the most object side of the second lens group G2 and the object side surface of the most object side positive lens of the third lens group G3 are aspherical surfaces.

The fourth lens group G4 is moved along the optical axis upon varying a focus from an object at infinity to a close object.

The diagonal length IH from the center of the solid-state imaging device D according to each Example is 3.75 mm.

In each example, an aspherical surface is exhibited by the following expression: X=(y ² /r)/{1+(1−k×y ² /r ²)^(1/2) }+C4×y ⁴ +C6×y ⁶ +C8×y ⁸ where y denotes a height from the optical axis, X denotes a sag amount which is a distance along the optical axis from the tangent surface at the vertex of the aspherical surface to the aspherical surface at the vertical height y from the optical axis, r denotes a radius of curvature of a reference sphere (a paraxial radius of curvature), K denotes a conical coefficient, and C4, C6, and C8 denote aspherical coefficient of 4th order, 6th order, and 8th order, respectively. The position of an aspherical surface is expressed by attaching “*” to the left side of the surface number in [Lens Data].

Example 1

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a lens configuration of a high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 1 of the present application and positions of respective lens groups in a wide-angle end state W upon focusing on infinity.

In FIG. 1, the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according Example 1 is composed of, in order from the object, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, an aperture stop S, a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power, a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractive power, an optical low-pass filter LPF, and a cover glass CG for a solid-state imaging device D.

The first lens group G1 is composed of, in order from the object, a cemented positive lens constructed by a negative meniscus lens L1 having a convex surface facing the object cemented with a double convex positive lens L2, and a positive meniscus lens L3 having a convex surface facing the object.

The second lens group G2 is composed of, in order from the object, a double concave negative lens having an aspherical surface facing the image, a double concave negative lens, and a double convex positive lens.

The third lens group G3 is composed of, in order from the object, a double convex positive lens having an aspherical surface facing the object, a cemented negative lens constructed by a positive meniscus lens having a convex surface facing the object cemented with a negative meniscus lens having a convex surface facing the object, and a double convex positive lens.

The fourth lens group G4 is composed of a positive meniscus lens having a convex surface facing the object.

An image blur is corrected by moving the third lens group G3 perpendicularly to the optical axis.

The aperture stop S is moved along the optical axis together with the third lens group G3 on the same zoom trajectory upon zooming, and fixed upon correcting an image blur. Such configuration is used in the other Examples, and duplicated explanations are omitted.

Various values of the zoom lens system according to Example 1 are listed in Table 1.

In [Specifications], f denotes the focal length, and FNO denotes the f-number.

In [Lens Data], the left most column shows the lens surface number counted in order from the object side, the second column “r” shows a radius of curvature of the lens surface, the third column “d” shows a distance to the next lens surface, the fourth column “ν” shows Abbe number of a medium at d-line (wavelength λ=587.6 nm), the fifth column “nd” shows refractive index of the medium at d-line (wavelength λ=587.6 nm), Bf denotes a back focal length, and Φ1 denotes an object side effective diameter of the negative meniscus lens L1 having a convex surface facing the object. In [Lens Data], r=∞ denotes a plane surface, and refractive index of the air n=1.000000 is omitted. In [Aspherical Data], “k” denotes a conical coefficient, and “Ci” denotes an i-th order aspherical coefficient. “E-n” means “10^(−n)”. In [Variable Distances], W denotes a wide-angle end state, M denotes an intermediate focal length state, T denotes a telephoto end state, f denotes the focal length, β denotes shooting magnification, Bf denotes a back focal length, and D0 denotes a shooting distance along the optical axis between the object and the object side surface of the negative meniscus lens L1 in the first lens group G1.

In the tables for various values, “mm” is generally used for the unit of length such as the focal length, the radius of curvature and the distance to the next lens surface. However, since an optical system proportionally enlarged or reduced its dimension can be obtained similar optical performance, the unit is not necessary to be limited to “mm”, and any other suitable unit can be used. The explanation of reference symbols is the same in the other examples, so that duplicated explanations are omitted.

TABLE 1 [Specifications] W T f = 6.78 64.00 FNO = 2.8 4.8 [Lens Data] r d ν nd  1) 149.3765 1.2000 25.46 2.000690 Φ1 = 24.0  2) 51.9182 3.6000 82.56 1.497820  3) −76.5680 0.1000  4) 35.0375 2.5000 45.30 1.795000  5) 109.5761 (d5)  6) −176.8587 1.0000 46.83 1.766840 *7) 6.7898 2.5000  8) −21.5979 1.0000 46.63 1.816000  9) 55.7776 0.3000 10) 16.1058 2.0000 22.76 1.808095 11) −92.6325 (d11)  12> ∞ 0.5000 Aperture Stop S *13)  12.3441 2.1000 59.56 1.583130 14) −27.6923 0.1000 15) 5.7682 2.8000 82.56 1.497820 16) 33.7455 1.0000 32.35 1.850260 17) 4.9538 1.1000 18) 111.7796 1.7000 82.56 1.497820 19) −19.4238 (d19) 20) 11.9959 1.7000 82.56 1.497820 21) 37.1807 (d21) 22) ∞ 1.6500 64.14 1.516330 23) ∞ 0.4000 24) ∞ 0.5000 64.14 1.516330 25) ∞ (Bf) [Aspherical Data] Surface Number 7 κ = 0.8337 C4 = 0.00000E+00 C6 = 9.29050E−07 C8 = −4.83740E−08 Surface Number 13 κ = −0.9190 C4 = 0.00000E+00 C6 = −3.92890E−07 C8 = 0.00000E+00 W M T [Variable Distances] <Focusing on infinity> f = 6.78000 32.00000 64.00000 D0 = ∞ ∞ ∞ d5 = 1.36890 25.19752 29.72851 d11 = 20.74526 5.28680 0.82362 d19 = 6.56962 10.33615 21.76115 d21 = 3.10000 6.59899 2.39239 Bf = 1.07320 1.07320 1.07320 TL = 60.60698 76.24265 83.52887 <Focusing on a close object> β = −0.02654 −0.10371 −0.05646 D0 = 239.3931 223.7574 916.4711 d5 = 1.36890 25.19752 29.72851 d11 = 20.74526 5.28680 0.82362 d19 = 6.12046 5.14202 14.79523 d21 = 3.54915 11.79311 9.35831 Bf = 1.07320 1.07320 1.07320 TL = 60.60698 76.24265 83.52887 [Shift amount of VR lens group upon VR] <Focusing on infinity> f = 6.78000 32.00000 64.00000 shift amount ±0.027 ±0.104 ±0.159 <Focusing on a close object> β = −0.02654 −0.10371 −0.05646 shift amount ±0.027 ±0.104 ±0.159 [Values for Conditional Expressions] (1): FG1 × (Nd1 − Nd2)/FL3 = 0.408 (2): FG1/FL12 = 0.185 (3): FG1/(FL3 × Nd3) = 0.452 (4): Fw/(Ft × FL12) = 0.00038 (unit: 1/mm)

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are graphs showing various aberrations of the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 1 focusing on infinity in which FIG. 2A shows various aberrations in the wide-angle end state, FIG. 2B shows various aberrations in an intermediate focal length state, and FIG. 2C shows various aberrations in a telephoto end state. FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are graphs showing coma of the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 1 focusing on infinity upon carrying out vibration reduction in which FIG. 3A shows coma in the wide-angle end state, FIG. 3B shows coma in the intermediate focal length state, and FIG. 3C shows coma in the telephoto end state. FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are graphs showing various aberrations of the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 1 focusing on a close object in which FIG. 4A shows various aberrations in the wide-angle end state (Rw=300 mm), FIG. 4B shows various aberrations in the intermediate focal length state (Rm=300 mm), and FIG. 4C shows various aberrations in the telephoto end state (Rt=1000 mm). FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are graphs showing coma of the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 1 focusing on a close object upon carrying out vibration reduction in which FIG. 5A shows coma in the wide-angle end state (Rw=300 mm), FIG. 5B shows coma in the intermediate focal length state (Rm=300 mm), and FIG. 5C shows coma in the telephoto end state (Rt=1000 mm).

In respective graphs, Y denotes an image height, NA denotes a numerical aperture, D denotes aberration curve at d-line (wavelength λ=587.6 nm), and G denotes aberration curve at g-line (wavelength λ=435.8 nm), C denotes aberration curve at C-line (wavelength λ=656.3 nm), F denotes aberration curve at F-line (wavelength λ=486.1 nm). In the graph showing astigmatism, a solid line indicates a sagittal image plane, and a broken line indicates a meridional image plane. In the graph showing lateral chromatic aberration, aberration values with respect to d-line are shown. The above-described explanation regarding various aberration graphs is the same as the other examples.

As is apparent from the respective graphs, the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 1 shows superb optical performance as a result of good corrections to various aberrations in each focal length state.

In Example 1, the effective diameter Φ1 of the cemented positive lens which is the most object side lens in the first lens group G1 is 24.0 mm, and the distance along the optical axis of the first lens group G1 is 7.4 mm. When these values are normalized by the image height IH in the wide-angle end state, the effective diameter Φ of the first lens group G1 is 6.40, and the distance along the optical axis of the first lens group G1 is 1.97, so that it becomes very compact design. A half angle of view in the telephoto end state is about 3.3 degrees.

Example 2

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a lens configuration of a high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 2 of the present application and positions of respective lens groups in a wide-angle end state W upon focusing on infinity.

In FIG. 6, the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 2 is composed of, in order from the object, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, an aperture stop S, a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power, a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractive power, an optical low-pass filter LPF, and a cover glass CG for a solid-state imaging device D.

The first lens group G1 is composed of, in order from the object, a cemented positive lens constructed by a negative meniscus lens L1 having a convex surface facing the object cemented with a double convex positive lens L2, and a positive meniscus lens L3 having a convex surface facing the object.

The second lens group G2 is composed of, in order from the object, a double concave negative lens having an aspherical surface facing the image, a double concave negative lens, and a double convex positive lens.

The third lens group G3 is composed of, in order from the object, a double convex positive lens having an aspherical surface facing the object, a cemented negative lens constructed by a positive meniscus lens having a convex surface facing the object cemented with a negative meniscus lens having a convex surface facing the object, and a double convex positive lens.

The fourth lens group G4 is composed only of a positive meniscus lens having a convex surface facing the object.

Various values associated with Example 2 are listed in Table 2.

TABLE 2 [Specifications] W T f = 6.45 61.00 FNO = 2.8 4.7 [Lens Data] r d ν nd  1) 162.5689 1.2000 28.27 2.003300 Φ1 = 24.4  2) 46.7928 3.8000 69.98 1.518601  3) −68.1499 0.1000  4) 31.3282 2.5000 52.30 1.748099  5) 99.7504 (d5)  6) −457.7760 1.0000 46.83 1.766840 *7) 6.5782 2.5000  8) −21.3438 1.0000 46.63 1.816000  9) 36.7963 0.3000 10) 15.2216 2.0000 22.76 1.808095 11) −79.6271 (d11)  12> ∞ 0.5000 Aperture Stop S *13)  12.4940 2.1000 59.56 1.583130 14) −25.9498 0.1000 15) 5.4588 2.8000 82.56 1.497820 16) 32.2366 1.0000 32.35 1.850260 17) 4.6464 1.1000 18) 27.9391 1.7000 82.56 1.497820 19) −30.2282 (d19) 20) 11.3835 1.7000 82.56 1.497820 21) 34.8970 (d21) 22) ∞ 1.6500 64.14 1.516330 23) ∞ 0.4000 24) ∞ 0.5000 64.14 1.516330 25) ∞ (Bf) [Aspherical Data] Surface Number 7 κ = 0.8677 C4 = 0.00000E+00 C6 = 2.08140E−06 C8 = −6.51760E−08 Surface Number 13 κ = −1.0071 C4 = 0.00000E+00 C6 = −6.78930E−07 C8 = 0.00000E+00 [Variable Distances] W M T <Focusing on infinity> f = 6.45456 30.00000 61.00000 D0 = ∞ ∞ ∞ d5 = 1.23770 23.86100 28.52458 d11 = 19.86637 5.07968 0.65039 d19 = 5.97265 8.71770 19.29477 d21 = 1.30843 5.10170 1.31355 Bf = 2.49252 2.49252 2.49252 TL = 58.82766 73.20259 80.22581 <Focusing on a close object> β = −0.02513 −0.09818 −0.05459 D0 = 241.1723 226.7973 919.7742 d5 = 1.23770 23.86100 28.52458 d11 = 19.86637 5.07968 0.65039 d19 = 5.56709 4.16855 13.09005 d21 = 1.71398 9.65085 7.51827 Bf = 2.49252 2.49252 2.49252 TL = 58.82766 73.20259 80.22581 [Values for Conditional Expressions] (1): FG1 × (Nd1 − Nd2)/FL3 = 0.397 (2): FG1/FL12 = 0.173 (3): FG1/(FL3 × Nd3) = 0.469 (4): Fw/(Ft × FL12) × 0.00037 (unit: 1/mm)

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are graphs showing various aberrations of the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 2 focusing on infinity in which FIG. 7A shows various aberrations in the wide-angle end state, FIG. 7B shows various aberrations in an intermediate focal length state, and FIG. 7C shows various aberrations in a telephoto end state. FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are graphs showing various aberrations of the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 2 focusing on a close object in which FIG. 8A shows various aberrations in the wide-angle end state (Rw=300 mm), FIG. 8B shows various aberrations in the intermediate focal length state (Rm=300 mm), and FIG. 8C shows various aberrations in the telephoto end state (Rt=1000 mm).

As is apparent from the respective graphs, the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 2 shows superb optical performance as a result of good corrections to various aberrations in each focal length state.

In Example 2, the effective diameter Φ1 of the cemented positive lens which is the most object side lens in the first lens group G1 is 24.4 mm, and the distance along the optical axis of the first lens group G1 is 7.6 mm. When these values are normalized by the image height IH in the wide-angle end state, the effective diameter Φ of the first lens group G1 is 6.51, and the distance along the optical axis of the first lens group G1 is 2.03, so that it becomes very compact design. A half angle of view in the telephoto end state is about 3.4 degrees.

Example 3

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a lens configuration of a high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 3 of the present application and positions of respective lens groups in a wide-angle end state W upon focusing on infinity.

In FIG. 9, the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 3 is composed of, in order from the object, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, an aperture stop S, a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power, a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractive power, an optical low-pass filter LPF, and a cover glass CG for a solid-state imaging device D.

The first lens group G1 is composed of, in order from the object, a cemented negative lens constructed by a negative meniscus lens L1 having a convex surface facing the object cemented with a double convex positive lens L2, and a positive meniscus lens L3 having a convex surface facing the object.

The second lens group G2 is composed of, in order from the object, a double concave negative lens having an aspherical surface facing the image, a double concave negative lens, and a double convex positive lens.

The third lens group G3 is composed of, in order from the object, a double convex positive lens having an aspherical surface facing the object, a positive meniscus lens having a convex surface facing the object, a negative meniscus lens having a convex surface facing the object, and a double convex positive lens.

The fourth lens group G4 is composed only of a positive meniscus lens having a convex surface facing the object.

Various values associated with Example 3 are listed in Table 3.

TABLE 3 [Specifications] W T f = 6.45 73.00 FNO = 2.8 4.6 [Lens Data] r d ν nd  1) 105.3671 1.3000 25.46 2.000690 Φ1 = 28.4  2) 40.5047 4.2000 82.56 1.497820  3) −229.3012 0.1000  4) 40.3105 3.3000 39.82 1.869940  5) 302.7015 (d5)  6) −969.6596 1.0000 46.83 1.766840 *7) 6.4483 2.7000  8) −18.4419 1.0000 46.63 1.816000  9) 59.6186 0.6191 10) 18.7501 2.0000 23.82 1.846660 11) −56.0348 (d11) 12> ∞ 0.5000 Aperture Stop S *13)  12.3233 2.0000 59.56 1.583130 14) −93.1301 0.8468 15) 7.0019 2.4000 82.56 1.497820 16) 151.4598 0.7073 17) 77.5884 1.0000 32.35 1.850260 18) 6.0577 1.0000 19) 50.2973 1.5000 82.56 1.497820 20) −16.3952 (d20) 21) 13.1485 1.7000 82.56 1.497820 22) 61.9770 (d22) 23) ∞ 1.6500 64.14 1.516330 24) ∞ 0.4000 25) ∞ 0.5000 64.14 1.516330 26) ∞ (Bf) [Aspherical Data] Surface Number 7 κ = 0.7983 C4 = 0.00000E+00 C6 = −1.48870E−06 C8 = 6.82290E−09 Surface Number 13 κ = −0.4909 C4 = 0.00000E+00 C6 = −3.58780E−07 C8 = 0.00000E+00 [Variable Distances] W M T <Focusing on infinity> f = 6.45456 36.00000 73.00000 D0 = ∞ ∞ ∞ d5 = 1.23770 30.27108 34.87241 d11 = 21.41216 5.39440 0.92620 d19 = 5.12179 9.86494 22.34900 d21 = 4.00252 7.18660 2.51739 Bf = 2.91721 2.91721 2.91721 TL = 65.11465 86.05750 94.00548 <Focusing on a close object> β = −0.02575 −0.11010 −0.06203 D0 = 234.8854 213.9425 905.9945 d5 = 1.23770 30.27108 34.87241 d11 = 21.41216 5.39440 0.92620 d19 = 4.80576 4.50711 15.02482 d21 = 4.31855 12.54442 9.84157 Bf = 2.91721 2.91721 2.91721 TL = 65.11465 86.05750 94.00548 [Values for Conditional Expressions] (1): FG1 × (Nd1 − Nd2)/FL3 = 0.520 (2): FG1/FL12 = −0.037 (3): FG1/(FL3 × Nd3) = 0.553 (4): Fw/(Ft × FL12) = −0.00006 (unit: 1/mm)

FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C are graphs showing various aberrations of the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 3 focusing on infinity in which FIG. 10A shows various aberrations in the wide-angle end state, FIG. 10B shows various aberrations in an intermediate focal length state, and FIG. 10C shows various aberrations in a telephoto end state. FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C are graphs showing various aberrations of the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 3 focusing on a close object in which FIG. 11A shows various aberrations in the wide-angle end state (Rw=300 mm), FIG. 11B shows various aberrations in the intermediate focal length state (Rm=300 mm), and FIG. 11C shows various aberrations in the telephoto end state (Rt=1100 mm).

As is apparent from the respective graphs, the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 3 shows superb optical performance as a result of good corrections to various aberrations in each focal length state.

In Example 3, the effective diameter Φ1 of the cemented positive lens which is the most object side lens in the first lens group G1 is 28.4 mm, and the distance along the optical axis of the first lens group G1 is 8.9 mm. When these values are normalized by the image height IH in the wide-angle end state, the effective diameter Φ of the first lens group G1 is 7.57, and the distance along the optical axis of the first lens group G1 is 2.37, so that it becomes very compact design. A half angle of view in the telephoto end state is about 2.9 degrees.

Example 4

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a lens configuration of a high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 4 of the present application and positions of respective lens groups in a wide-angle end state W upon focusing on infinity.

In FIG. 12, the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 4 is composed of, in order from the object, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, an aperture stop S, a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power, a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractive power, an optical low-pass filter LPF, and a cover glass CG for a solid-state imaging device D.

The first lens group G1 is composed of, in order from the object, a cemented positive lens constructed by a negative meniscus lens L1 having a convex surface facing the object cemented with a double convex positive lens L2, and a positive meniscus lens L3 having a convex surface facing the object.

The second lens group G2 is composed of, in order from the object, a double concave negative lens having an aspherical surface facing the image, a double concave negative lens, and a double convex positive lens.

The third lens group G3 is composed of, in order from the object, a double convex positive lens having an aspherical surface facing the object, a double convex positive lens, a negative meniscus lens having a convex surface facing the object, and a double convex positive lens.

The fourth lens group G4 is composed only of a positive meniscus lens having a convex surface facing the object.

Various values associated with Example 4 are listed in Table 4.

TABLE 4 [Specifications] W T f = 6.45 73.00 FNO = 2.8 4.7 [Lens Data] r d ν nd  1) 114.8778 1.3000 31.31 1.903660 Φ1 = 27.2  2) 38.2532 4.3000 82.56 1.497820  3) −133.4350 0.1000  4) 35.9463 3.4000 52.30 1.748099  5) 267.7891 (d5)  6) −70.6402 1.0000 46.83 1.766840 *7) 6.0499 2.7000  8) −19.5115 1.0000 46.63 1.816000  9) 198.7346 0.1500 10) 17.1991 2.0000 23.82 1.846660 11) −60.3664 (d11)  12> ∞ 0.5000 Aperture Stop S *13)  13.7985 2.0000 59.56 1.583130 14) −107.5899 0.1000 15) 7.3649 2.4000 82.56 1.497820 16) −122.8168 1.1970 17) 226.2370 1.0000 32.35 1.850260 18) 6.4401 1.0000 19) 442.8729 1.5000 82.56 1.497820 20) −12.2788 (d20) 21) 12.7102 1.7000 82.56 1.497820 22) 52.8979 (d22) 23) ∞ 1.6500 64.14 1.516330 24) ∞ 0.4000 25) ∞ 0.5000 64.14 1.516330 26) ∞ (Bf) [Aspherical Data] Surface Number 7 κ = 0.5817 C4 = 0.00000E+00 C6 = −5.70420E−07 C8 = −4.27120E−08 Surface Number 13 κ = −1.5666 C4 = 0.00000E+00 C6 = −1.06760E−06 C8 = 0.00000E+00 [Variable Distances] W M T <Focusing on infinity> f = 6.45456 36.00000 73.00000 D0 = ∞ ∞ ∞ d5 = 1.23770 28.27772 32.49665 d11 = 21.60317 5.45968 0.92619 d19 = 5.31480 10.29980 23.12899 d21 = 4.00252 7.10437 2.29346 Bf = 2.88464 2.88464 2.88464 TL = 64.93983 83.92322 91.62693 <Focusing on a close object> β = −0.02571 −0.11140 −0.06224 D0 = 235.0602 216.0768 908.3731 d5 = 1.23770 28.27772 32.49665 d11 = 21.60317 5.45968 0.92619 d19 = 4.99956 4.87303 15.71039 d21 = 4.31775 12.53114 9.71205 Bf = 2.88464 2.88464 2.88464 TL = 64.93983 83.92322 91.62693 [Values for Conditional Expressions] (1): FG1 × (Nd1 − Nd2)/FL3 = 0.383 (2): FG1/FL12 = 0.055 (3): FG1/(FL3 × Nd3) = 0.539 (4): Fw/(Ft × FL12) = 0.00009 (unit: 1/mm)

FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C are graphs showing various aberrations of the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 4 focusing on infinity in which FIG. 13A shows various aberrations in the wide-angle end state, FIG. 13B shows various aberrations in an intermediate focal length state, and FIG. 13C shows various aberrations in a telephoto end state. FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 14C are graphs showing various aberrations of the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 4 focusing on a close object in which FIG. 14A shows various aberrations in the wide-angle end state (Rw=300 mm), FIG. 14B shows various aberrations in the intermediate focal length state (Rm=300 mm), and FIG. 14C shows various aberrations in the telephoto end state (Rt=1000 mm).

As is apparent from the respective graphs, the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 4 shows superb optical performance as a result of good corrections to various aberrations in each focal length state.

In Example 4, the effective diameter Φ1 of the cemented positive lens which is the most object side lens in the first lens group G1 is 27.2 mm, and the distance along the optical axis of the first lens group G1 is 9.1 mm. When these values are normalized by the image height IH in the wide-angle end state, the effective diameter Φ of the first lens group G1 is 7.25, and the distance along the optical axis of the first lens group G1 is 2.43, so that it becomes very compact design. A half angle of view in the telephoto end state is about 2.9 degrees.

Example 5

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a lens configuration of a high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 5 of the present application and positions of respective lens groups in a wide-angle end state W upon focusing on infinity.

In FIG. 15, the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 5 is composed of, in order from the object, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, an aperture stop S, a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power, a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractive power, an optical low-pass filter LPF, and a cover glass CG for a solid-state imaging device D.

The first lens group G1 is composed of, in order from the object, a negative meniscus lens L1 having a convex surface facing the object, a double convex positive lens L2, and a positive meniscus lens L3 having a convex surface facing the object.

The second lens group G2 is composed of, in order from the object, a negative meniscus lens having a convex surface facing the object and an aspherical surface facing the image, a double concave negative lens, and a double convex positive lens.

The third lens group G3 is composed of, in order from the object, a double convex positive lens having an aspherical surface facing the object, a cemented negative lens constructed by a positive meniscus lens having a convex surface facing the object cemented with a negative meniscus lens having a convex surface facing the object, and a positive meniscus lens having a concave surface facing the object.

The fourth lens group G4 is composed only of a positive meniscus lens having a convex surface facing the object.

Various values associated with Example 5 are listed in Table 5.

TABLE 5 [Specifications] W T f = 6.78 64.00 FNO = 2.8 4.8 [Lens Data] r d ν nd  1) 78.3046 1.2000 17.98 1.945950 Φ1 = 24.0  2) 39.4002 0.6000  3) 37.6247 3.6000 95.25 1.433852  4) −129.9339 0.1000  5) 40.4267 2.5000 28.56 1.795040  6) 222.2431 (d5)  7) 300.6396 1.0000 46.83 1.766840 *8) 6.7469 2.5000  9) −15.8263 1.0000 46.63 1.816000 10) 148.8853 0.3000 11) 17.4512 2.0000 22.76 1.808095 12) −72.2994 (d12)  13> ∞ 0.5000 Aperture Stop S *14)  13.2112 2.1000 59.56 1.583130 15) −23.8964 0.1000 16) 5.7501 2.8000 82.56 1.497820 17) 33.7455 1.0000 32.35 1.850260 18) 5.0095 1.1000 19) −199.5773 1.7000 82.56 1.49782 20) −16.5396 (d20) 21) 11.8839 1.7000 82.56 1.497820 22) 36.0583 (d22) 23) ∞ 1.6500 64.14 1.516330 24) ∞ 0.4000 25) ∞ 0.5000 64.14 1.516330 26) ∞ (Bf) [Aspherical Data] Surface Number 8 κ = 0.9497 C4 = 0.00000E+00 C6 = 3.75430E−07 C8 = 6.17210E−10 Surface Number 14 κ = −1.5496 C4 = 0.00000E+00 C6 = −3.73690E−07 C8 = 0.00000E+00 [Variable Distances] W M T <Focusing on infinity> f = 6.78000 32.00000 64.00000 D0 = ∞ ∞ ∞ d5 = 1.36890 25.19752 29.72851 d11 = 20.74528 5.28682 0.82364 d19 = 6.62965 10.39618 21.82119 d21 = 1.44574 4.94473 0.73813 Bf = 2.71203 1.07320 1.07320 TL = 61.25160 76.88727 84.17350 <Focusing on a close object> β = −0.02652 −0.10364 −0.05645 D0 = 238.7484 223.1127 915.8265 d5 = 1.36890 25.19752 29.72851 d11 = 20.74528 5.28682 0.82364 d19 = 6.18084 5.20507 14.85627 d21 = 1.89455 10.13584 7.70305 Bf = 2.71202 1.07321 1.07321 TL = 61.25160 76.88728 84.17350 [Values for Conditional Expressions] (1): FG1 × (Nd1 − Nd2)/FL3 = 0.429 (2): FG1/FL12 = 0.161 (3): FG1/(FL3 × Nd3) = 0.467 (4): Fw/(Ft × FL12) = 0.00033 (unit: 1/mm)

FIGS. 16A, 16B, and 16C are graphs showing various aberrations of the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 5 focusing on infinity in which FIG. 16A shows various aberrations in the wide-angle end state, FIG. 16B shows various aberrations in an intermediate focal length state, and FIG. 16C shows various aberrations in a telephoto end state. FIGS. 17A, 17B, and 17C are graphs showing various aberrations of the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 5 focusing on a close object in which FIG. 17A shows various aberrations in the wide-angle end state (Rw=300 mm), FIG. 17B shows various aberrations in the intermediate focal length state (Rm=300 mm), and FIG. 17C shows various aberrations in the telephoto end state (Rt=1000 mm).

As is apparent from the respective graphs, the high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to Example 5 shows superb optical performance as a result of good corrections to various aberrations in each focal length state.

In Example 5, the effective diameter Φ1 of the negative meniscus lens which is the most object side lens in the first lens group G1 is 24.0 mm, and the distance along the optical axis of the first lens group G1 is 8.0 mm. When these values are normalized by the image height IH in the wide-angle end state, the effective diameter Φ of the first lens group G1 is 6.40, and the distance along the optical axis of the first lens group G1 is 2.13, so that it becomes very compact design. A half angle of view in the telephoto end state is about 3.3 degrees.

Although an image blur due to a camera shake is corrected by decentering the third lens group G3 in Example 1 perpendicularly to the optical axis, an image blur may be corrected by the similar manner in other Examples. Correction of an image blur may be carried out by moving not only the third lens group G3 but also any lens or lens group in the zoom lens system perpendicularly to the optical axis. In order to correct chromatic aberration upon focusing on a close object, the fourth lens group may be a so-called achromatic composition composed of a positive lens and a negative lens.

As described above, the present application makes it possible to provide a high zoom ration zoom lens system having a small total lens length, a small effective diameter of the first lens group, a half angle of view of 3.5 degrees or less in the telephoto end state, a zoom ratio of about 10 or more, an f-number of six or less in the telephoto end state, and high optical performance in spite of extreme compactness. The present invention also makes it possible to provide a high zoom ration zoom lens system with a small moving amount of the first lens group upon zooming from the wide-angle end state to the telephoto end state.

It is needless to say that although a zoom lens system with a four-lens-group configuration is shown as each Example of the present invention, a zoom lens system simply added by a lens group to a four-lens-group configuration is included in the spirit of the present invention. Moreover, in the configuration of each lens group, a lens group simply added by additional lens elements to the lens group shown in each Example is included in the spirit or scope of the present invention.

Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspect is not limited to the specific details, and representative devices shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A high zoom ratio zoom lens system comprising, in order from an object: a first lens group having positive refractive power; a second lens group; a third lens group; and a fourth lens group; the first lens group including, in order from the object, a negative meniscus lens having a convex surface facing the object, a first positive lens having a convex surface facing the object, and a second positive lens, the first lens group and the second lens group being moved along the optical axis upon zooming from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state, and the following conditional expression being satisfied: 0.31<FG1×(Nd1−Nd2)/FL3<0.75 where FG1 denotes a focal length of the first lens group, FL3 denotes a focal length of the second positive lens, Nd1 denotes refractive index of the negative meniscus lens at d-line (wavelength λ=587.6nm), and Nd2 denotes refractive index of the first positive lens at d-line (wavelength λ=587.6 nm).
 2. The high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to claim 1, wherein the second lens group has negative refractive power, the third lens group has positive refractive power, and the fourth lens group has positive refractive power.
 3. The high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to claim 1, wherein an aspherical surface is included in the second lens group, and an aspherical surface is included in the third lens group.
 4. The high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to claim 1, wherein the fourth lens group is moved along the optical axis upon varying a focus from an object at infinity to a close object.
 5. The high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to claim 1, wherein the following conditional expressions are satisfied: −0.15<FG1/FL12<0.25 0.4<FG1/(FL3×Nd3)<0.6 where FL12 denotes a combined focal length of the negative meniscus lens and the first positive lens in the first lens group, and Nd3 denotes refractive index of the second positive lens in the first lens group at d-line (wavelength λ=587.6nm).
 6. The high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to claim 1, wherein the following conditional expression is satisfied: −0.0001<Fw/(Ft×FL12)<0.0005  (unit: 1/mm) where Ft denotes a focal length of the zoom lens system in the telephoto end state, Fw denotes a focal length of the zoom lens system in the wide-angle end state, and FL12 denotes a combined focal length of the negative meniscus lens and the first positive lens in the first lens group.
 7. The high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to claim 1, wherein the negative meniscus lens and the first positive lens are cemented with each other.
 8. The high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to claim 1, wherein the zoom lens system has a half angle of view in the telephoto end state of 3.5 degrees or less.
 9. A method for forming an image of an object and varying a focal length, comprising the steps of: providing a high zoom ratio zoom lens system that includes, in order from the object, a first lens group having positive refractive power, a second lens group, a third lens group, and a fourth lens group, the first lens group including, in order from the object, a negative meniscus lens having a convex surface facing the object, a first positive lens having a convex surface facing the object, and a second positive lens; and varying the focal length of the zoom lens system, including moving the first lens group and the second lens group along the optical axis when the zoom lens system moves from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state, wherein the following conditional expression is satisfied: 0.31<FG1×(Nd1−Nd2)/FL3<0.75 where FG1 denotes a focal length of the first lens group, FL3 denotes a focal length of the second positive lens, Nd1 denotes refractive index of the negative meniscus lens at d-line (wavelength λ=587.6nm), and Nd2 denotes refractive index of the first positive lens at d-line (wavelength λ=587.6nm).
 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the second lens group has negative refractive power, the third lens group has positive refractive power, and the fourth lens group has positive refractive power.
 11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the following conditional expressions are satisfied: −0.15<FG1/FL12<0.25 0.4<FG1/(FL3×Nd3)<0.6 where FL12 denotes a combined focal length of the negative meniscus lens and the first positive lens in the first lens group, and Nd3 denotes refractive index of the second positive lens in the first lens group at d-line (wavelength λ=587.6nm).
 12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the following conditional expression is satisfied: −0.0001<Fw/(Ft×FL12)0.0005  (unit: 1/mm) where Ft denotes a focal length of the zoom lens system in the telephoto end state, Fw denotes a focal length of the zoom lens system in the wide-angle end state, and FL12 denotes a combined focal length of the negative meniscus lens and the first positive lens in the first lens group.
 13. The method according to claim 9, wherein an aspherical surface is included in the second lens group, and an aspherical surface is included in the third lens group.
 14. The method according to claim 9, wherein the fourth lens group is moved along the optical axis upon varying a focus from an object at infinity to a close object.
 15. The method according to claim 9, wherein the negative meniscus lens and the first positive lens are cemented with each other.
 16. The method according to claim 9, wherein a zoom ratio of the zoom lens system is about 10 or more.
 17. A high zoom ratio zoom lens system having a zoom ratio of about 10 or more and comprising, in order from an object: a first lens group having positive refractive power; and a second lens group; the first lens group including, in order from the object, a negative meniscus lens having a convex surface facing the object, a first positive lens having a convex surface facing the object, and a second positive lens, the first lens group and the second lens group being moved along the optical axis upon zooming from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state, and the following conditional expression being satisfied: 0.31<FG1×(Nd1−Nd2)/FL<0.75 where FG1 denotes a focal length of the first lens group, FL3 denotes a focal length of the second positive lens, Nd1 denotes refractive index of the negative meniscus lens at d-line (wavelength λ=587.6nm), and Nd2 denotes refractive index of the first positive lens at d-line (wavelength λ=587.6nm).
 18. The high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to claim 17, wherein the following conditional expressions are satisfied: −0.15<FG1/FL12 <0.25 0.4<FG1/(FL3×Nd3)<0.6 where FL12 denotes a combined focal length of the negative meniscus lens and the first positive lens in the first lens group, and Nd3 denotes refractive index of the second positive lens in the first lens group at d-line (wavelength λ=587.6nm).
 19. The high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to claim 17, further comprising, in order from the object, a third lens group disposed to an image side of the second lens group, and a fourth lens group, wherein the second lens group has negative refractive power, the third lens group has positive refractive power, and the fourth lens group has positive refractive power.
 20. The high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to claim 19, wherein when zooming from the wide-angle end state to the telephoto end state, the first lens group is moved toward the object, the second lens group is moved along a zooming trajectory having a concave shape facing the object, the third lens group is moved toward the object, and the fourth lens group is moved along a zooming trajectory having a convex shape facing the object.
 21. The high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to claim 19, wherein an aspherical surface is included in the second lens group, and an aspherical surface is included in the third lens group.
 22. A high zoom ratio zoom lens system having a half angle of view in a telephoto end state of 3.5 degrees or less and comprising, in order from an object: a first lens group having positive refractive power; and a second lens group; the first lens group including, in order from the object, a negative meniscus lens having a convex surface facing the object, a first positive lens having a convex surface facing the object, and a second positive lens, the first lens group and the second lens group being moved along the optical axis upon zooming from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state, and the following conditional expression being satisfied: 0.31<FG1×(Nd1−Nd2)/FL3<0.75 where FG1 denotes a focal length of the first lens group, FL3 denotes a focal length of the second positive lens, Nd1 denotes refractive index of the negative meniscus lens at d-line (wavelength λ=587.6nm), and Nd2 denotes refractive index of the first positive lens at d-line (wavelength λ=587.6nm).
 23. The high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to claim 22, wherein the following conditional expression is satisfied: −0.0001<Fw/(Ft×FL12)<0.0005  (unit: 1/mm) where Ft denotes a focal length of the zoom lens system in the telephoto end state, Fw denotes a focal length of the zoom lens system in the wide-angle end state, and FL12 denotes a combined focal length of the negative meniscus lens and the first positive lens in the first lens group.
 24. The high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to claim 22, wherein the negative meniscus lens and the first positive lens are cemented with each other.
 25. The high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to claim 22, further comprising, in order from the object, a third lens group disposed to an image side of the second lens group, and a fourth lens group, wherein the second lens group has negative refractive power, the third lens group has positive refractive power, and the fourth lens group has positive refractive power.
 26. The high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to claim 25, wherein the fourth lens group is moved along the optical axis upon varying a focus from an object at infinity to a close object.
 27. The high zoom ratio zoom lens system according to claim 25, wherein an image blur is corrected by moving the third lens group perpendicularly to the optical axis. 